Work includes trimming along more than 3,200 miles of power lines
Met-Ed, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), continues to conduct tree trimming work in communities across its service area in Pennsylvania as part of its ongoing efforts to help enhance electric service reliability.
Met-Ed spokesperson Todd Meyers said, “Few things we do at Met-Ed illicit more emotion from our customers and property owners than trimming trees. Some hate it. Plenty of others say we don’t do enough of it. But one thing is clear. Trimming trees along power line right-of-ways is one of the best tools we have to help keep the lights on for our customers. Trees and limbs contacting power lines are a leading cause of electric service interruptions.”
Maintaining proper clearances around electrical equipment can help reduce the frequency and duration of tree-related power outages, especially those associated with severe weather such as spring and summer thunderstorms.
Since the beginning of the year, tree contractors have trimmed along about 650 miles of distribution and transmission lines in the Met-Ed area as part of the company’s $28 million vegetation management program for 2021. Met-Ed’s program remains on schedule to complete an additional 2,550 miles of work by year end.
The work includes inspecting vegetation near the lines to ensure trees are pruned in a manner that helps preserve the health of the tree, while also maintaining safety near electric facilities. Trees that present a danger or are diseased also may be removed.
“Trimming trees around our power lines is critical in our mission to provide reliable electric service for our customers,” said Linda Moss, regional president, Met-Ed. “The work is paying off. In 2020, Met-Ed experienced 11 percent fewer tree-related outages than in 2019.”
Met-Ed is scheduled in 2021 to trim trees along transmission lines and distribution circuits in and around the the following Berks communities: Adamstown, Bethel Township, Bernville, Boyertown, Frystown, Leesport, Maxatawny Township, Reading, Topton
As part of its notification process, Met-Ed works with municipalities to inform them of tree trimming schedules. In addition, customers living in areas along company rights-of-way are notified prior to vegetation management work being done.
The vegetation management work is conducted by certified forestry experts under the company’s direction, including: Aerial Solutions, Asplundh Tree Expert Company, Davey Tree Expert Company, Lewis Tree Service, Nelson Tree Service Inc., Rotor Blade, Treesmiths and York Tree Service Inc.
Met-Ed serves approximately 570,000 customers within 3,300 square miles of eastern and southeastern Pennsylvania. Follow Met-Ed on Twitter @Met Ed and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MetEdElectric.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
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